| Summary : Kings Cross station was built in 1850-2 by the Great Northern Railway primarily for main-line services, and like other stations of its time it was planned with distinct departure and arrival sides. Designed by Lewis Cubitt with Sir William and Joseph Cubitt as engineers, this duality was expressed in two large glazed arches of the main elevation. The 105-ft-span arches of the two train sheds were unusual in being of laminated timber: their rapid deterioration led to their replacement by wrought iron ribs of the same profile to the eastern shed in 1869-70 and to the western shed in 1886-7. The main facade is of yellow stock brick with two glazed semi-circular openings echoing the train sheds behind. The station is on a cramped site with tunnels close to the platform ends. These impeded train working, especially once suburban services began to increase. In 1863 connections to the Metropolitan Railway were opened with their own platforms, and in 1875-95 a separate suburban station was progressively added. When opened King's Cross was the largest station in England and is the earliest great London terminus still intact. |